Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Today’s classic early ’70s song of the day is “Express Yourself” by Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. Released in August of 1970, this funky little tune peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on Billboard’s R&B chart. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group…
Today’s classic song of the day is one of Phil Spector’s last Wall of Sound productions, “Black Pearl” by Sonny Charles and the Checkmates. Released in April of 1969, the song hit #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, #10 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #8 on Billboard’s R&B chart. “Black Pearl” was written by Toni Wine and Irwin…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green. Released in November of 1971, this single peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and Billboard’s Best-Selling Soul Singles charts. Billboard ranked it as the #1 R&B single and the #11 single overall for 1972 and, in 2010, the Library of Congress…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Sing a Song” by Earth, Wind & Fire. This peppy little single debuted in November of 1975 and rose to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Soul Singles chart. “Sing a Song” was written by EWF members Maurice White and Al McKay. It supposedly started with a guitar…
Today’s classic song of the day is “B-A-B-Y,” a moderate hit for both Carla Thomas and, a decade later, Rachel Sweet. “B-A-B-Y” was written by the stellar Stax Records songwriting team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Ms. Thomas released her version, on the Stax label, in July of 1966; it went all the way to #14 on the Billboard…
Today’s classic song of the day is a Motown classic, “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops. Released during the fall of 1966, this one shot all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and the Cash Box Top 100. It was also a #1 hit in Spain…
Today’s classic song of the day is a megahit from Motown legend Stevie Wonder, “Superstition.” This track was released as a single in October of 1972 and shot all the way to #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and R&B charts. It won two Grammy Awards, for Best Rhythm & Blues Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. “Superstition,” written by…
Today’s classic song of the day is “Tell Him” by the Exciters. This version of the song (SPOILER ALERT: it wasn’t the first) was released in October of 1962 and it went to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on Billboard’s Hot Rhythm & Blues Songs list. “Tell Him” was originally written as “Tell Her” by legendary songwriter…
Today’s classic song of the day was a hit for two (and in the UK, three) separate artists. The song is “Do You Love Me” and the lucky performers were the Contours in 1962 and the Dave Clark Five in 1964. “Do You Love Me” was one of the very first Motown hits. The song was written by Motown owner…